South Africa: No More Sjamboks

Of all the ugly images of apartheid, the one that will not fade from the minds of horrified television viewers around the world is the recurrent scene of helmeted policemen lashing black protesters with menacing whips. Admitting that the image problem was a primary concern, the South African government announced last week that police would no longer use the 3-ft.-long hard rubber whips, known as sjamboks.

Acting President F.W. de Klerk, who will be sworn in for a full five-year term this week, followed up with a still bolder gesture. Though all outdoor rallies are banned under the state of emergency,...